Shockwaves

Final: MSU 65, WSU 57. Shockers complete a solid 1-2 showing in the Old Spice Classic. The WSU fans gave them an ovation after the game, which was deserved. In case you weren wondering, WSU last defeated a top-5 team during the 1966-67 season – an 84-78 win over No. 2 Louisville.

1:28 remaining: MSU 62, WSU 56. As soon as MSU’s defensive intensity dropped a bit, the Shockers got some good looks, Murry swished a three from the top of the key to make it six points.

3:14 remaining: MSU 58, WSU 51. The Shockers are 11 of 11 from the line. MSU is 13 of 25.

3:58 remaining: MSU 58, WSU 49. Marshall is unhappy with the officiating after Ellis fouls out. I did not get a good look at the play. Suffice to say, it’s a physical game. WSU is a good rebounding team. MSU rebounds just as hard and is bigger and stronger. Sparty is out-rebounding Shocky 37-24 and it’s not because the Shockers aren’t working. Hannah hit two threes to get WSU to within 50-45. WSU, however, has yet to find much that works.

7:23 remaining: MSU 47, WSU 39. Eight points looks like a mountain to climb as tightly as MSU is playing defense. The Spartans are double-teaming the dribbler at the top of the key and the Shockers aren’t big enough or quick enough to pass over it or dribble through it. WSU’s entire offense is being run at the top of the key and it is getting nothing off its initial attempts to run something.

11:56 remaining: MSU 39, WSU 35. Durley, Ellis and Clemente have three fouls. WSU is 3 for 8 from the field this half with four turnovers. MSU is keeping WSU’s guards far away from the basket and disrupting the offense from the start. Soon, it turns into desperation time and WSU doesn’t have a one-on-one player good enough to score against the Spartans.

12:29 remaining: MSU 39, WSU 35. Spartans are shooting 40.5 percent, 2 of 8 from three and 7 of 14 from the line.

15:42 remaining: WSU 31, MSU 31. Offense continues to be the problem for WSU. The Spartans are not giving up many open shots with their man-to-man defense. Ellis picked up his third foul. Stutz, who has five points this half, has two. Durley, who has yet to play this half, is the only Shocker big man who seems able to score.

19:20 remaining second half: WSU 26, MSU 25. Gray’s three-point play starts the half. WSU had to call timeout when Murry could not get the ball in against pressure. If I were Garrett Stutz, I would watch Gonzaga’s Josh Heytvelt tonight. Heytvelt uses a nice faceup jumper off the glass that I think would work well for Stutz. He is not yet strong or agile enough to score over some defenders in the post.

Halftime: WSU 26, MSU 22. You would like to say a great half for WSU because it leads the No. 5-ranked Spartans. Marshall will no doubt look at nine turnovers and figure it should be more. Foul trouble could be a bigger issue in the second half in a very physical game. MSU is outrebounding WSU 22-15. The Spartans are 1-6 from three, one big reason why WSU is in the lead.

3:40 remaining: WSU 20, MSU 16. WSU needs to keep making the Spartans play half-court offense. Michigan State is good on the break. Not so good running against a set defense. Chamberlain is in for Hannah. This is a key period for WSU to survive with Hannah out. Marshall is rotating his big men with two fouls and so far is fortunate. This would be a good game for A.J. Hawkins to get rolling. So far, he is one step forward (dunk), one step back (turnover). A lot is expected of A.J. It’s not always easy for transfers to step right in.

7:30 remaining: WSU 17, MSU 14.

7:59 remaining: WSU 15, MSU 14. Ellis and Durley now have two fouls. Hannah has played the whole way. He is playing very well. How long can he go without a break? Reggie Chamberlain played five minutes against Siena and Hannah played 34, so that may be an indication.

11:58 remaining: MSU 9, WSU 9. Much like the Georgetown game, WSU seems to survive an early blowout warning. The Spartans are helping with six turnovers. Foul trouble looms as an issue for WSU. Clemente has two, which means WSU will likely play the rest of the half without him. Ellis and Durley each have one.

Game on. 12:47 to play. MSU 9, WSU 7.

Update from Disney: The teams are on their way back to the court. They will warm up for eight minutes.

Update from Disney: No leak. The water is blowing through the ventilation system because of the rainy, windy weather. Micky and Goofy are up top checking things out. We will know more in about 10 minutes.

The officials are checking out the situation. The towels are off the lane. I can no longer see water dripping.

Both teams are going to their locker rooms as the cast members try to fix a leak. Water is splashing right on the basket support at Michigan State’s basket. The teams can’t play with that much water coming down and soaking the lane.

12:47 remaining: MSU 9, WSU 7. Break to wipe up water. Hannah has five for WSU.

15:47 remaining first half: MSU 6, WSU 3. Shockers miss their first five shots before Hannah makes a long three. WSU isn’t getting many open shots or much movement to get those shots. Durley will check in after the timeout.

WSU starters – Ellis, Hannah, Clemente, Murry, Stutz. MSU - Lucas, Morgan, Walton, Summers, Gray.